Tu B’Shevat – The Holiday of Trees

Can we extend the growth obtained on Tu B’Shevat throughout the year?

Today is the 15th day of the lunar month of Shevat, also known as Tu B’Shevat, because the Hebrew letters that denote the number 15, spell out the sound of “Tu.”

Tu B’Shevat – the Jewish holiday that falls in January or February (depending upon the year) – inspires growth and renewal. It is a holiday of the birthday of the trees. Unlike the regular Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashana, Tu B’shevat is the New Year or birthday for Trees. This year, Tu B’Shevat, The 15 of Shevat corresponded to Wednesday, January 31, 2018

The Jewish or lunar calendar revolves around the size of the moon. The arrival of the new moon means a new month. The new month usually symbolizes a chance of us to evolve – for renewal and personal growth.

Rosh Hashana is a New Year for humans, and falls in September or the first day of the first lunar month of Tishrei. The arrival of Tu B’Shevat signals renewal and personal growth for trees. Since man is considered like a tree, man is encouraged to grow and renew ourselves, as inspired by trees.

In the month of Shevat, on the 15th day, Jewish people in the Land of Israel and elsewhere celebrate Tu B’shevat, which is the day that marks the beginning of a new year for trees. The first trees bloom in Israel during the month of Shevat.

They emerge from the winter slumber and begin to grow fruit.

The New Year for trees is the time that various tithes (10 % of the produce that is separated) are removed from the fruits grown in the Land of Israel.

Jewish people eat certain fruits on Tu B’Shevat, as a way of celebrating the day. These fruits are grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. We proclaim that “man is a tree,” and man symbolizes a tree. We can derive many lessons from the metaphor of a tree, such as growth, gratitude, renewal, nourishment and maturity.